News on the Go #684, January 20, 2009

Topics at a glance: The Legacy of Dr. King ... UTPD News ... IT SecuritySense ... Library Updates ... CPR Training/ Certification ... CCTS Lecture Series ... Wellness Fair ... NRC Distinguished Lecture ... Excellence in Education Series ... Family Medical Leave Act ... School of Public Health Events ... Conflict Resolution ... Doctors Orchestra of Houston ... iModules Scholarship Program ... Dental Services ... Virtual World Working Group ... Travel Agency Contract ... Traffic Alerts ... WorkLife Wellness Tip of the Week ... HOOP Updates

The Legacy of Dr. King

The Global Health Concentration of The University of Texas School of Public Health presents the Third Annual Commemoration of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “The Legacy of Dr. King’s Views for Health Care in America Today,” is scheduled noon – 1 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 27, in the School of Public Health RAS Auditorium E101 and via ITV to all UT School of Public Health Regional Campuses. Lunch will be provided for the first 100 attendees. For more information, contact Mary.L.Carroll@uth.tmc.edu, 713-500-9265.

UTPD News

News and announcements from The University of Texas Police Department can be found on the Workplace page of the intranet. This new section includes safety tips, security reports and crime alerts.

IT SecuritySense

“Lucky 13! Security New Year’s Resolutions" is the focus of the January 2009 issue of the SecuritySense newsletter, available at SecuritySense online.

HAM-TMC Library Updates

ABC’s of DNA: Genetics for Consumers Class
Do you ever wonder what the odds are of you getting the conditions your grandparents had? Check out the class ABCs of DNA: Unraveling the Mystery of Genetics Information for Consumers 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 12, at the Houston Academy of Medicine-Texas Medical Center Library.

To register, visit HAM-TMC Library. This class is part of the Darwin2009 Houston Celebration.
HAM-TMC Library Classes

• PubMed – 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 20
• Excel 2007 Basic – 10 a.m. – noon, Wednesday, Jan. 28
• NLM Gateway and Clinical Trials – 1 – 5 p.m., Monday, Feb. 2
• Finding Electronic Resources – 5 – 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 3
• PubMed – 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 3
• Excel 2007 Basic – 10 a.m. – noon, Wednesday, Feb. 4
• Excel 2007 Intermediate – 10 a.m. – noon, Wednesday, Feb. 11
• PubMed – 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 17
• PowerPoint 2007 Basic – 10 a.m. – noon Wednesday, Feb. 18
• Excel 2007 Basic – 10 a.m. – noon, Thursday, Feb. 26

All classes are free and offered in the library classroom. Click here to view the complete class schedule and register.

CPR Training/ Certification

The University of Texas School of Nursing at Houston Alumni Association is sponsoring CPR training and certification for all healthcare professionals and students 1 – 4 p.m., Fridays, Feb. 13, March 20 and April 10 at SON room 370. Registration costs $50; only cash or checks are accepted for payment. For more information or registration, e-mail alumni@uth.tmc.edu.

CCTS Lecture Series

The Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences presents the following lecture series, noon – 1 p.m., Thursdays throughout January, in the UT Professional Building, 11th floor. The January schedule includes:

• Jan. 22 – “CCTS/SPH Research Opportunities in the Lower Rio Grande Valley," presented by Joseph McCormick, M.D., regional dean, SPH, Brownsville Regional Campus.
• Jan. 29 - "Ligand-directed Tumor Targeting and Molecular Imaging in Cancer Medicine," presented by Wadih Arap, M.D., Ph.D., professor, Genitourinary Medical Oncology at UT M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.

For more information, contact Linda.N.Gilbert@uth.tmc.edu.

5th Annual Wellness Fair

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston will hold the 5th Annual Wellness Fair, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 28, at the UT Medical School Leather Lounge. The wellness fair is open to all students, faculty and staff of the health science center and offers a variety of health-related information and activities. There will be over 35 health and wellness exhibitors on site providing a variety of information and screenings including blood pressure, cholesterol, carotid artery and vision. Other health-related activities include chair massages and door prizes.

Additionally, a special wellness fair gift will be handed out to the first 500 attendees. Remember to bring your UT ID card and check in at the UT Counseling table. For more information, visit Auxiliary Enterprises or contact Pauline.M.Habetz@uth.tmc.edu, 713-500-8425.

NRC Distinguished Lecture in the Neurosciences

The Neuroscience Research Center announces the next Distinguished Lecture in the Neurosciences. Masao Ito, M.D., Ph.D. will lecture on "Internal Model Hypothesis of the Cerebellum" 4 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 29, in the Medical School Building, Room 3.001. Ito heads the Laboratory for Learning and Memory at the RIKEN Brain Science Institute of Japan. Over the last five decades he has studied the cellular mechanism of learning in the cerebellum. Among his major research findings are the exclusive inhibitory nature of cerebellar Purkinje cells and the phenomenon of long-term depression (LTD) in Purkinje cells.

For more information, visit the Neuroscience Research Center.

Excellence in Education Series

The UT School of Public Health presents the Excellence in Education Series featuring Mark Picus, EdD, adjunct professor of English, DeVry University and adjunct professor of Education, University of St. Thomas. Picus will present “The Perils and Pitfalls of Plagiarism,” noon – 1 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 29, in the School of Public Health RAS Auditorium. Lunch will be provided to the first 50 attendees.

Family Medical Leave Act

Human Resource representatives will discuss highlights of 2009 regulatory updates and the new military Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) on the following dates:

• 9 – 10 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 29, Medical School, Room B645
• 2:30 – 3:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 5, University Center Tower, Room 1505 C
• 10 – 11 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 11, Dental Branch, Room 340

Topics will include new regulations, updated FMLA procedures and revised forms. All employees may attend; supervisors, managers, and administrators who process FMLA documents are strongly encouraged to attend. For more information, visit Employee Relations.

School of Public Health Events

The University of Texas School of Public Health (SPH) Career and Alumni Services offers the following upcoming events:

• Open House – 1:30 – 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 4, SPH Room E201
• Job Opportunities in Research & Grants Management – noon – 1 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 5, SPH Room 102A
• Social Gathering – 5 – 7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 11, SPH Room 102A

For more information, contact Pantheia.Evans@uth.tmc.edu, 713-500-9024.

Conflict Resolution: Dealing with Difficult People

Human Resources offers the training class Conflict Resolution: Dealing with Difficult People 9 – 11 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 12, in UCT 1505c. The easiest way to deal with difficult people is to stay far away from them, which is great advice for those who work alone. However, most people can't avoid such interactions. In this training class you’ll find new and effective techniques for dealing with difficult people, learn techniques for dealing with frustration and anger and develop coping strategies.
To see more classes and register for classes, log on to the Training Resource Center.

Doctors Orchestra of Houston

The Doctors Orchestra of Houston‘s next concert “Sounds of Hope” is 5 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 15, at the Wortham Center’s Cullen Theater. Tickets: $10-$20; available at www.DoctorsOrchestraHouston.org or at the door.

The Doctors Orchestra consists of people who work in the health professions, including faculty, residents, students, researchers, therapists and dentists. This program will include the Piano Concerto #2 by Rachmaninoff, with the piano solo played by the noted Houston performer, Zoya Shuhatovich, and a choral work, “Sing for the Cure.” The Bayou City Chorale will join with the Doctors Orchestra for the choral work. This concert will benefit the AIDS Foundation of Houston. For more information, visit Doctors Orchestra of Houston.

iModules Scholarship Program

iModules, an online alumni community, will provide individual $2,500 scholarships to five students enrolled in secondary or higher education institutions that are current iModules clients. The iModules Educational Scholarship Program was established in March 2008 and was founded on the belief in assisting students with pursuing their educational goals.

Visit the 2009 iModules Scholarship Program site for more information or to apply. Application deadline is April 15. Winning students will be notified by May 1, 2009.

Dental Services

The University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston is currently seeking individuals in need of crowns and bridges to serve as patients for our dental students. All students are closely supervised by fully licensed professors at the Dental Branch. Typical fees are about one-third of the cost normally found in the traditional private practice office.

The only difference is that the procedures performed in an educational setting are not done as swiftly as those in a private dental office. If you are interested in obtaining dental service at a reduced cost please contact Dental.Crowns@uth.tmc.edu.

New Virtual World Working Group

Virtual worlds are computer simulated environments that you typically navigate with an avatar through 3D spaces. Virtual worlds such as Second Life are increasing in popularity in the educational and research sectors because of their flexibility in providing a communication platform, visualizing data, and creating realistic simulations of a variety of things such as procedures and equipment.

We are looking for individuals who are using or interested in the use of virtual worlds in education and/or research. We have formed a working group to share ideas, skills and to grow potential collaborations in virtual world projects. If you are interested, contact Cynthia.L.Phelps@uth.tm.edu.

Travel Agency Contract

Corporate Travel Planners, Inc. (CTP) was selected to be the travel agency for The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston effective for a three (3) year period which began Thursday, Jan. 1.

The University Travel program is a mandatory use program and is documented in the Handbook of Operating Procedures (HOOP) under Section 2.12 Travel, Item II Travel Process, and Sub-Item "G" Use of University Travel and the Employee Reimbursement Travel Guide. The university's policy requires University Travel (Corporate Travel Planners) to be used for all air transportation including any State of Texas airfares negotiated by the State Travel Management Program (STMP) of the Texas Procurement and Support Services (TPASS) unless a valid exception exists. If a lower airfare of $50 or more (excluding the service fee) is found for the exact itinerary through an outside vendor, contact Diane.E.Collard@uth.tmc.edu, 713-500-8405, for approval prior to ticketing.

Also, a new online booking tool is currently scheduled to be available May, 1, 2009. This new tool will provide travelers and administrators with the dashboard technology to make all travel arrangements from one location. Not only will the on-line booking tool provide some health science center policy edits to ensure compliance, it will assist in reducing travel service fees. Look for more news on the new online booking tool in the coming months!

All travel service fees will remain the same as our previous contract for a four (4) month period. Rates will increase effective May 1, 2009. At that time, travelers will have the option to use the CTP full service or utilize the new online booking tool. A listing of fees can be located at the Expense Reimbursement website http://www.uth.tmc.edu/finance/ert/pdf/ctp.pdf and is being updated on Auxiliary Enterprises, University Travel website http://ae.uth.tmc.edu.

Questions regarding the new contract should be directed to Diane.E.Collard@uth.tmc.edu, 713-500-8405.

Traffic alerts

University Boulevard Construction

One eastbound lane of University Boulevard, west of Main Street, will be closed until Tuesday, April 7, for construction. During construction, two eastbound lanes and one westbound lane of University Boulevard, west of Main Street, will remain open. The contractor will install traffic control devices, equipment and signage. Police officers will be on duty to direct traffic and pedestrians.

Moursund Street Traffic Flow Adjustment

Two eastbound lanes on Moursund Street, between Bertner Avenue and M.D. Anderson Boulevard, will be closed 7 p.m. – 5 a.m. through Monday, March 17, due to construction activities at the Texas Children’s Hospital Neurological Research Institute Building. Traffic will be diverted to the north side of Moursund Street, with one lane of traffic flowing each direction.

Visit Getting Around for all mobility announcements including Traffic Alerts and Commuter Options.

WorkLife Wellness Tip of the Week

Did you know that the average adult American male or female carries an average of about 40 pounds of pure body fat? That’s approximately 140,000 stored calories or the equivalent of 2,000 pancakes.

If you want to begin reducing “your extra pancakes” and pursue a healthier lifestyle in ’09, call and make an appointment with Sam Hester, cWC, CPT, LWMC, our wellness coach, at 713-500-3327. It’s confidential and free. Visit UT Counseling and WorkLife Services for more information on the wellness services provided.

HOOP Updates

Several policies in the Handbook of Operating Procedures (HOOP) have been changed: the Communication with Government Officials policy been revised to reflect current procedures. The Service Awards policy has been revised. The Safe Use of Hazardous Agents policy has been re-named the Safe Use of Potentially Hazardous Agents Policy.

Please check out HOOP What's New? for specifics on new policy changes or the HOOP 2009 What’s New Archive for all 2009 policy changes. For general HOOP information, visit http://legal.hsc.uth.tmc.edu/hoop/index.html.